Download a PDF version here. - Rowan

introduces...
Jo Storie
Kelly
Tell us about your design background.
I’ve been a commercial knitwear designer
for longer than I’d like to say! I started
out, like many designers, by studying for
a BA (Hons); however, my degree was
not in Fashion but in Textiles. I studied
all forms of textiles, woven, knitted and
printed, but chose to specialize in knitted
textiles. I worked for Johnston’s of Elgin
in my final year on job placement, and
at the time felt I’d drawn the short straw,
because I went off to work in Hawick in
the Scottish Borders while others were
off to Paris, New York, London and
Florence! I look back now and have no
regrets, however. It was a great place to
intern and I was lucky enough to meet
a great designer who took me with her
after I graduated when she went to TSE
Cashmere. This is where I really got my
start in the luxury knitwear designer end
of the market. From there it was a spell
at Ballantyne Cashmere, then off to USA
to work with J.Crew and Ann Taylor. I’ve
been lucky enough to see first hand the
design process from the high end to the
high street, and it’s helped me be the
designer I am today.
What do you find is your biggest
inspiration
For me, it is all about the silhouette, the
drape and great statement texture. So
everything tends to start with that. I keep
a sketch book every season and record
my thoughts in it on a daily basis; I’m
inspired by so many things and often
work up concept boards to keep my
ideas focused. I travel to Florence once
a year to the yarn trade show Pitti Filati.
This show predicts the yarn trends a
year in advance and showcases the
best that spinners have to offer. I also
attend trend presentations, and research
what’s happening on the catwalks as well
as watching what’s happening on the
streets.
Can we hear a bit more about Jo Storie
Handknits
Jo Storie Handknits is design driven and is
all about making great design accessible
8 - December 2012